Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - July 13, 2006
THREE DRIVERS LOSE LICENCES IN COURT
In Provincial Court in Princeton on July 13, Christopher Josefson, a 41 year old local resident, pled guilty to an impaired driving charge. Police apprehended him in August 2005 following a tip stating he was driving under the influence.
Josefson had a prior impaired driving conviction 21 years ago, and was ordered to pay a $600 fine. He is prohibited from driving for one year. At the same court session in Princeton, 50 year old Dale Ritter entered a guilty plea for impaired driving. He was apprehended on May 13, 2005, when police saw him fail to stop at a stop sign, and saw him cross the center line twice. He had a prior conviction for impaired driving dating back to 1985, and was ordered to pay a $600 fine with the mandatory one year driving prohibition.
Judge G. Sinclair ordered the same penalty for Wayne Hooper, a 34 year old Princeton resident who pled guilty to refusing to give a breath sample. The charge laid in Nanaimo on March 9, 2006 after he was stopped by police who noticed his tail lights were not working.
JUDGE ORDERS PROBATION
An assault charge laid in Trail was finally disposed of in Provincial Court in Princeton on July 13. Leah Bonde entered guilty pleas to assault, causing a disturbance and failure to appear in court.The incident from which the charges arose took place in Trail, B.C. on February 18, 2006. Bonde had gone to a dry cleaning store to inquire into the cost of cleaning drapes.
The clerk, who was a friend of Bonde's estranged husband, ordered Bonde out of the shop. Bonde objected, and words came to pushing and shoving. Bonde admitted she had had a problem with booze at the time, but has since changed her life. Bonde said Princeton has been good to her, she has a job, and is doing well.
Judge Sinclair placed the 46 year old woman on a one year probation.
PARTY BRINGS BIG FINE
Damaging a home during a party brought Jamie Yates to Provincial Court in Princeton on July 13. Yates was not the only person involved in rough-housing at the party, but was the only person charged. Damages included wrecking a vacuum cleaner, damage to a stove, and tossing a chair off the balcony. Yates admitted his behaviour had been foolish.Judge Sinclair remarked, "You've got to respect other people's property." The 21 year old Princeton resident had a prior mischief conviction and was ordered to pay a $400 fine.
ASSAULT LEADS TO PROBATION
Peter Hartinger, age 40, of Princeton, appeared in Provincial Court on July 13 to plead guilty to an assault charge.He had struck Ernest Wetherup a few times in front of Valley First Credit Union building in Princeton on June 21, 2005.
Hartinger was angry because Wetherup owed Hartinger's friend some money, and the friend was quite desperate.
Hartinger had no criminal record. He was given a conditional discharge pending his serving eight months probation.
JUDGE ORDERS WARRANTS
Two anglers who were issued tickets for angling with more than one line failed to pay their fines. On Thursday, July 13, Judge G. Sinclair issued warrants for the arrest of Craig J. Blair and Russell Sawka. A warrant for the arrest of Ryan Schwartz for failing to appear in court on other charges was also issued.LOCAL MAN KEEPS RIGHT TO DRIVE
An impaired driving charge laid against Simon Hess in April 2004 was reduced to driving without due care and attention, under Section 144 of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act. Hess appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on July 14 and spent some time in negotiations with Crown Counsel. He had intended to fight the impaired driving charge in a trial, but agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge.Judge Sinclair ordered Hess to pay a $1,000 fine plus a $150 surcharge and enter a $500 bond for the duration of an added no driving sentence. Hess will not be allowed to drive during the hours between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for the next eight months.
GIRL SPARKS FIGHT
A shared interest in a high school girl in September, 2004, led Jason Alvarez to Provincial Court in Princeton on July 13. He entered a guilty plea to an assault charge.The 21 year old Princeton resident was ordered to serve a nine month probation with a condition that he stay away from Similkameen Secondary School and have no contact with the man he assaulted.
JUDGE ORDERS BIG BIKE FINE
In Provincial Court in Princeton on July 13, Jesse Williams, a Penticton resident, pled guilty to a charge of operating a dirt bike on a highway without vehicle insurance.Williams stated he had driven his dirt bike on trails and paths and had crossed Old Hedley Road before going to Highway 5A, where he pushed his bike across the highway.
He admitted he had several motor vehicle infraction tickets he never paid. Williams had no vehicle insurance and no driver's licence.
Judge Sinclair ordered Williams to pay a $500 fine.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
